Approaching arctic air has Miami bracing for the 40s. Here’s when the big chill comes
Are you ready for a 40s revival?
An arctic front is expected to pump refrigerated air along the U.S. east coast, working its way as far as South Florida soon. That cool down could dip temperatures into the 40s in Miami-Dade and Broward by mid-week.
The last time Miami saw cold temperatures in the 40s was two years ago — a run of three January days from the 14th to the 16th in 2023, according to Extreme Weather Watch. The chill air plunged from 48 degrees down to 44 on the third day.
When the cold front arrives
Miami could see those 40s again if the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s outlook for the next six to 10 days comes true. Highs will only climb to the upper 60s starting Tuesday.
What forecasters are seeing from the approaching polar vortex is a 70% to 80% likelihood that temperatures are going to be below average across South Florida. Average is about 60 to 61 degrees from the 7th to the 11th of January, said Ana Torres-Vasquez, National Weather Service in Miami meteorologist.
“How low is still very uncertain,” she said, “but several models are throwing out crazy numbers here and there — but a lot can change with that.”
How crazy? Crazy like a fox fur coat. (Faux fox, please.)
“Things could change from now till then but it’s looking like it’s going to be more of a prolonged, earlier period of cool temperatures, at least through the week,” Torres-Vazquez said Friday morning.
How chilly in Miami
Tuesday overnight across Miami should dip into the lower 50s and upper 40s, she said. Miami’s metro areas, including downtown and South Beach would be warmer than deep inland areas.
“Tuesday night into Wednesday could be potentially the coolest of the week and then we continue to see somewhat cooler temperatures than normal through the rest of the work week,” Torres-Vazquez said.
The average low in Miami for this period in January is 62, according to the Weather Channel. Forecasters there suggest Wednesday morning could be 46, Thursday 47 and Friday 49.
These numbers could bring a cool change from 2024 when the coldest we saw was 52 degrees on Jan. 21. The last big chill was a two night run of 54 and 55 on Dec. 21-22, 2024.
Elsewhere in Florida
Florida’s Panhandle will get considerably colder, of course, with below freezing temperatures forecast around Jan. 8, according to AccuWeather and the Tallahassee Democrat.
Central Florida eyes the upper 30s and low 40s during this arctic wave.
The Tampa Bay area should see lows around 43 and highs in the low-60s from Tuesday forward into the week, according to the National Weather Service.
PETA reminds that in the wake of the coming cold, people should consider bringing their outdoor dogs and cats indoors.
Weekend weather forecast
Before we get there a lesser cold front drifts over South Florida Friday.
Miami’s first weekend of 2025 will feature overnight and morning chills, with temperatures in the 50s and likely lower inland in the Everglades.
KNOW MORE: ‘A cool blast’: Miami’s first weekend of 2025 expected to be chilly
“We had talked about a warm up on Monday. It looks like that is going to be the only warming that’s going to occur, because then we’re going to get that front coming through on Tuesday overnight,” Torres-Vazquez said.
Monday’s high will be 79 with a low of 60 overnight.
Rain chance
There is no rain in the forecast for at least a week. Not this weekend nor during the colder air to come.
“None of the fronts will have much moisture ahead of them,” Torres-Vazquez said. “We’re looking at almost zero chances of rain with any front that comes through. It’ll mostly be a drop through cold air, dry air, and people bringing out their puffer jackets.”
Seeking additional warmth? You may want to schedule your first mini vacation for the Florida Keys. Key West is looking at a low of 60 Tuesday night and highs in the upper 60s and near 70 by Thursday, according to the weather service.
This story was originally published January 3, 2025 at 11:14 AM.
